As a busy working mom, I found That Was Before by Dan Lawton to be a gripping and thought-provoking read that delves into the complexities of choices and their long-lasting effects. This powerful novel follows a protagonist who reflects on pivotal moments in their life, exploring themes of regret, redemption, and the journey toward self-discovery.

Lawton’s writing is both engaging and evocative, drawing me into the emotional landscape of the characters as they navigate their past and present. The storytelling is rich and layered, making it easy to connect with their struggles and triumphs, which resonated deeply with my own experiences.

Final Thoughts:
That Was Before is a compelling and insightful story perfect for moms seeking a reflective escape. It serves as a poignant reminder of how our choices shape our lives and the importance of embracing the journey, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a meaningful and impactful narrative!

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Did not finish. this was not a badly written book, just not the type i would like to read and would keep my attention.

This was quite the wild ride that had me on the edge of my seat. Every time I thought I knew what was coming, there was a twist, and that’s just the way I like mu thrillers! I enjoyed this one thoroughly and am excited to read more from Dan Lawton!

Incredibly Complex Plot That Appears Simple
This book has the most amazing plot twists. The reader thinks one thing is happening, but it's really another. Only the main character is who he says he is. The characters keep spinning in this complex web of deceit. The ending does not quite tie up all of the loose ends. Perhaps there will be a sequel or a series? I received this Advanced copy from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

This book was pretty well written, just not my cup of tea. I had a hard time getting into it and it just never really grabbed my attention. I think it would be good for the right reader, though.

I was approached by this author and asked to read his book in exchange for the NetGalley copy.

This book starts off super strong, with a supermarket explosion with people trapped inside, including the woman Randolph Squiers has just asked out on a date. When he later tracks her down and they drive cross-country with no real plan in mind he must soon decide if he can trust her, knowing absolutely nothing about her own past.

I was really hooked for the first part of this story, but it started to get really confusing with the introduction of other characters in the end. The conclusion was especially confusing, and I had to go back and re-read the chapters because I couldn't actually grasp what was happening at the end. It wasn't a bad ending, but it just felt like a lot to introduce in the final chapters of the book. This is book #1 for this series, and I would absolutely read the second book because I think things will be more fully developed in the second book. My rating is solely based on this book though, and not the opportunities for book two.

Randolph is an average man- until the supermarket that he shops at explodes and he runs off with a woman half his age. This was more of a mystery than a thriller in my opinion. It had some good plot twists that I wasn’t able to guess but everything interesting after the initial explosion happened in the last quarter of the book. This made for a slow read in what should have been a page turner. The plot was an interesting concept but the characters were all extremely one dimensional so aside from the mystery, there wasn’t much going on in the book.

An hour after Randolph Spiers quits his job as a mechanical engineer, he finally approaches the woman he’s eyed at the supermarket, only to watch it explode minutes later with her trapped inside. The old Randolph would have gone home to his adulterous wife and forgot about it.

That Was Before.

The new Randolph tracks down the woman and drives her cross-country without a plan or Midwestern destination in mind. Even with his old life in shambles, that may be the least of his problems. The enigmatic woman next to him is running from her past too, and as trouble closes in and the truth behind the explosion is revealed, he’s forced to question everything he thought he ever knew and felt—and everyone.

Now he must decide whose side he’s on. And he doesn’t know who to trust. Non-stop from page one. This is a must-read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️